I get asked lots of odd requests in my job as the Enrichment Teacher for our school district.

This brother-sister combo---only one grade level apart,

asked me this question via written essays:

Who has the right to the Baumann 8 jersey?

They are on the same co-ed soccer team,

and get to pick their jersey number.

After hours of bickering, a clever Momma left it up to Mrs. Eloise to decide.

A teacher herself, Momma Baumann instructed the children to write their

arguments in essay form, and bring them to school to allow someone impartial to judge.

TR, the elder of the pair made several valid arguments as to why he should wear the jersey.

1. It's traditionally been his number

2. He is the oldest in his family and his birthright is the #8

Elyse, of course

thought the arguments were redeculess!

After Elyse's strong comments and a reread,

she thought it appropriate to apologize for not indenting.

The passion to prove her point overshadowed the need for moving five spaces in.

TR diplomatically stated, "I would love for Elyse to have the jersey if I wasn't on the team."

Elyse countered that she has true right to choose first because it was, in fact,

HER team first.

The kids told me I was to base my answer on who wrote the best essay.

I cannot judge on the grammar and mechanics of the essay,

as TR has a one year lead on Elyse, and that would be unfair.

Instead I will have to make my ruling upon based on argument

and offer some solutions to this problem.

Judge Eloise has decided that I feel it is within TR's right to request the #8,

and call first dibs

There are some things that first-borns get the chance to claim,

and in this instance,

could go to TR without argument.

However, just because it should,

doesn't mean that it has to.

Compromises can always be determined.

Here are a few of Judge Eloise's suggestions:

1. Is this co-ed soccer opportunity available for many years? If so, perhaps TR could wear the Baumann #8 this season, and Elyse could wear it the next.

2. Elyse--you are a creative girl. Is there a way you can include the #8 on your jersey by making it part of your number---like #28--the SECOND Baumann in your family to wear #8?

3. If you cut an 8 in half, lengthwise down the middle, and flipped the left side section upside down, you'd have the #33--and that is my favorite number because it represents many good things in the universe. 33 is a great jersey number!

You can push and shove over #8 with the back and forth banter that all healthy brother-sister relationships have. That is completely normal and good for you.

Instead of always pushing against one another though, for a change try pushing together. Give that #8 a big shove to the left. After it leans and teeters, one more nudge will make it fall flat on its side. And you know what you get then? This:

A sideways 8 is the infinity symbol.

That represents how long you will be a brother and a sister--

forever.

It is also represents how much you really do love one another---

even if you haven't realized it yet.

I think along with this #8 jersey, the Baumann's should make a special handshake

to use at the start of every game you play together.

Judge Eloise suggests this one:

It will remind you of the Baumann #8 legacy,

as well as your infinite love for your family.

I can't wait to watch you play sometime and see what numbers are on your backs.